The future of the Oakland Science, Mathematics and Technology program (OSMTech) is looking bright after being brought back to life in the Clarkston School district.
Originally operated by the Oakland Intermediate School district, OSMTech brought students from seven districts throughout Oakland County, including Clarkston, together to further their studies. According to Deputy Superintendent Dave Reschke, the program ran as a teaching lab for nearly a decade until the program’s future became uncertain.
‘Three or four years ago, Oakland Schools started to question whether or not (OSMTech) was working well as a teaching lab,? Reschke said. ‘Also around that time, some of the districts started to peel off. As they gained more technology in their own districts, they saw less of a need to send their kids out.?
The program nearly came to an end before being adopted by Clarkston Schools. Reschke said nearly three years ago he and Superintendent Dr. Al Roberts took a brief look at the program and decided it was worth saving.
‘It’s a good program, it’s great for our kids and we have very strong parent support for it,? Reschke said.
Clarkston stayed on as a partner but got mixed signals from Oakland Schools, so Roberts offered to take over operations of the program after the changes from redistricting were in place.
The program now operates out of Clarkston High School, and brings in 90 students from grades 9-12 from four school districts: Clarkston, Holly, Brandon and Lake Orion. As part of the transfer process, Clarkston Schools brought over two of the founding teachers, Kyle Hughes and Mike Olsen, and added a third instructor, Amy Voyles.
Hughes has been with the program for all 12 years and already observed tremendous change in the program since the move to Clarkston.
‘It is as if there’s an entirely new growth span because we’re allowed to, we’re encouraged to,? Hughes said.
Hughes said operating the program in past years was hard because they were under the threat of being shut down, and that lead to a fearful environment which was not conducive to the learning process.
‘Here, this is home. Not only have we been adopted into this new home, but we’re being fed and cared for and kept warm and there’s no fear. There’s no fear because for the first time in years we know that the only place that anyone wants us to go is to grow,? Hughes said.
Hughes expressed a new excitement when coming to work, one that is reflected in her students, who she says enjoy working with other students without the negative stigma attached to enjoying subjects like math and science.
‘They’re comfortable with being excited about it because their friends are excited about it and there’s not somebody in the class who is going to make fun of them,? said Voyles, who is still new to the program.
Voyles, a Clarkston resident, worked the previous year as a physical science and physics instructor in Algenac before coming back to work in Clarkston. Voyles admitted jumping into the program has been overwhelming for her at times, but pointed out the reward of seeing students get excited about what they are studying.
‘I’m not talking to a bunch of students that just want to go to sleep,? Voyles said.
Hughes sang the praises of OSMTech alumni, many of whom she said return to mentor current students.
‘I think that says a ton,? Hughes said. ‘When you see the alumni… coming back and you know that they’re here out of respect to you, that’s huge.?
Now firmly grounded in the Clarkston School district, the seed of OSMTech was given the chance to blossom. Looking to the future, growth is the key word. Reschke said the district looks to expand the program internally and add another grade level. Currently, Reschke said he is happy the way the program is working, which brings ninth grade students over to the high school building for their classes. In the future, though, there is the possibility of having classes in the junior high.
‘I think eventually we’ll have some electives at the junior high, in eighth grade, that will be feeder electives to that program that will prepare the kids for that,? Reschke said. ‘I would anticipate us developing some of that next year for the following year. We still need to decide what kind of space commitment we can make at Clarkston Junior High for that.?
Reschke said the district is always looking to expand internally by finding more ways to integrate the curriculum using technology. Currently, students are starting work on the ‘Aim High? robotic competition that will span months.
Perhaps the biggest sign the program is ready to grow again is the possibility of opening up for ‘School of Choice.? Nothing is confirmed at this time, but Reschke mentioned the adminsitration is considering participating in ‘School of Choice,? which would allow students from outside the district to enroll in the OSMTech program.
‘A lot of people who are financial supporters of the program outside of the school district are industries that have their businesses in Auburn Hills,? Reschke said. ‘If we have kids that represent a wider base of Oakland County, it’s more likely that they’re going to donate money to our robotics program, to the technologies that we need. So there’s some real practical reasons for wanting to have a broader base of students.?